Cape Town – Former president Jacob Zuma has been admitted to a hospital outside the Escourt prison where he is serving his 15-month jail term for contempt of court.
The Department of Correctional Services confirmed in a statement on Friday that Zuma was admitted to an outside hospital for observation.
“The Department of Correctional Services can confirm that former president Jacob Zuma has today, 06 August 2021, been admitted to an outside hospital for medical observation,” the statement said.
Former President Jacob Zuma admitted to a hospital….. #eNCA pic.twitter.com/YQSb2Tcaix
— Sli Masikane (@Sli_Masikane) August 6, 2021
The department added: “As a former president, the healthcare needs of Mr Zuma require the involvement of the South African Military Health Services. This been the case since his admission at Estcourt Correctional Centre.
“A routine observation prompted that Mr Zuma be taken for in-hospitalisation.”
Zuma handed himself in on July 8 at the Estcourt Correctional Centre, around an hour’s drive from his rural Nkandla home.
ALSO READ | Jacob Zuma will be let out of jail to attend graft case, says judge
He faces 16 charges of fraud, graft and racketeering related to the 1999 purchase of fighter jets, patrol boats and equipment from five European arms firms when he was deputy president.
He is accused of taking bribes from one of the firms, French defence giant Thales, which has been charged with corruption and money laundering.
Follow African Insider on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Picture: Getty Images
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Betha Madhomu
